Independent living?!

I had similar problems with my mums care Ann.
Some days were: breakfast at 11.30.
Lunch: 2pm.
Dinner: 3.45.
Bed: 5.30.
Then they would write that mum 'didn't want dinner' and be on their way within 3 mins of arriving.

My grandma's care log quite often read like a work of fiction MissA, but I get that the carers were often run ragged, having to do the work of two people alone,paid a pittance, putting up with all kinds of abuse etc.

I remember several occasions when one of my grandmas carers would ring me and say she was very poorly and could I get there ASAP. This usually meant that someone had to wait with her until I got there which in turn meant that they would be late for (or heaven forbid even miss) the next call.

Care companies are closing left right and centre because they don't get enough per hour from SS to cover their costs.

It really is a ticking time bomb.

Its such a pity.
Surely bringing back home helps would be ideal?
Fetching in a bit of shopping, doing a tiny bit of tidying, and having time to spend helping the person to keep body and soul together.

Of course many old folk are paying for this themselves and the standard of care is just as poor.

I really do think that residential care homes are the way ahead. With good standard setting and monitoring they could be a cost effective and kind way of looking after vulnerable elderly people. More and more will be required. If people have the funds they should use them or take out special insurance policies to cover their eventual care needs. I know we have national insurance etc but this is something different. Times have changed and care provision needs to change.

Only trouble Jane.I visited someone recently in a residential care home. Not to be recommended. Apart from one qualified nurse, the rest of the staff were all the same lowly paid ‘care assistants’ who man the home type care service. Poorly paid, unqualified.

The place had a smell of boiled cabbage and old bodies. There was one communal room with a TV blaring away so it was either that or stay in your room.

She was paying £600 a week, self funded.

A friend's father had a fall recently and used his 'button' to call for help; I imagine the service was private, but is there any chance your neighbour could afford to pay for that, Jane?

It can work to stay in your own home, although I don't know much about it. DS's next door neighbour lived alone until a few weeks before she died aged 96. She had a fall and went into hospital, came out with a care package but went back in just as her daughter had found her a place in a Star and Garter home. She died a few days later.

Her son lived at least 3 hours away, her daughter in Italy. The person DS bought his house from used to give her a hot meal each day and continued to visit after moving out as did a few other neighbours. She had a stair lift and could just about manage everything herself. Apparently she told wonderful stories about her early life.

It is wonderful to think that neighbours can be so caring but I don't suppose that happens very much.

Gilly is right in saying that more money, be it taxes or whatever, is needed but I doubt anyone would vote for that.

Good quality care homes could be a solution but not the disgusting excuse of "care" homes available to those unable to pay for the best. I also have experience of visiting in "care" homes and they were both just as OldMeg said. Smelly and stale with unqualified (probably minimum wage) staff . I certainly wouldn't want to end my days in one of those places.

People make their decisions even if we don't agree with them, if your neighbour is able to do this then there is not much you can do. I reiterate, we leave the care of the most vulnerable in our society to the least well equipped to do it.

I don't think my neighbour has capacity to make decisions for herself any more unfortunately. Her only relative lives far away and makes very occasional visits.
Not all care homes are bad!! I have direct experience of excellent ones. With good standards set, good management and well trained and paid staff there is no reason why they couldn't provide much better places to live (and work-no more rushing from house to house against the clock!)

And yet, and yet Jane - it is not for me- this is NOT what I want- so no, care homes are not the desired future for all. Even though care homes here where I live have amazingly high standards.

Although it does sound that this is what your neighbour needs, poor thing.

We can all only hope that we don't end up alone, vulnerable and at the mercy of 'visiting care in the community'. My neighbour decided that she wanted to stay in her own house - beware of what you wish for, it may come true!!

I have worked with various adults with learning disabilities who have their own council property, with adequate care going in.
Enough to provide support 24/7, and including holidays, shopping, and sleep in staff.

Care of the elderly comes from a different budget! Good care costs. We have to work out how to provide it better.
BTW my neighbour does have an alarm to press but she was unconscious for a while after falling then too confused to use it. She just plain needs 24 hour care in a warm place with regular meals and help with medication and personal care.

I think until it comes from the same budget, then there is no hope of the elderly getting anything like the quality of care that others get.

My H fell on Feb11 and on that day I was asked if I wanted us to be referred to As for an assessment and a carecall pendant in case of emergencies like the fall, I said yes please.
My H came out on Feb 26th.
I was asked if we wanted a carecall pendant , I said it had been referred.
To cut its short ewe still haven't even been visited or contacted about it.
It has been referred by the carers, by the team leader, e-mails have gone back and forth.
In the 2nd week at home my H had another bad fall, if we had had a pendant we could have got someone out.
As it was I had to ring the ambulance service and my H was on the floor for 2 hours before some one came out.
I have told the carers not to persue it, rather than pay the £8 a week it costs, I will rely on the NHS to come and deal with any more falls he may have.

Referred to SS!!!

Sorry you're having such a difficult time annsixty. Its a sair fecht as we say up here.

Sorry gilly I've only just seen your question to me. I agree with all.of your list, but mostly I think the system that provides "care" for "independent living" doesn't work.

Thinking back to my old friend living in a substandard care home and paying £600 a week, you could have someone live in full time for that, in your own home.

Exactly.

One of the problems is that the physical care (whether at home or in a care home) is only part of the problem. For example, you can get someone to make sure you have taken your medication, help to wash and dress you , make sure you have eaten etc. But there has to be more to “living” than that. What about stimulating conversation, a friendly chat, entertainment etc?

My grandma was very lucky as I spent hours with her looking at photos, watching tv, talking about the news, sharing cake and tea. We included her in everything we did as a family (and yes it was very difficult sometimes) .

Old people whether they are in their own homes or a care home, need more than just the basic care package.

I understand there are some initiatives running which address some of the issues mentioned here.

For instance, a young person/student nurse/apprentice/trainee lodges with the older person and pays a reduced rent in exchange for, say, ten hours a month helping and/or keeping company with the homeowner.

Greater Manchester has a scheme which seeks to bring health and social care together gmhsc.org.uk to provide better, more integrated care.

What's needed is a strategic approach by HMG.... flying pigs, anyone?

(Incidentally, a flying pig emoticon might be useful).